Movie: Black Panther
Releasing Year: 2018
Director: Ryan Coogler
Writer/Screenplay: Joe Robert Cole, Ryan Coogler
Country of Origin: U.S.A
Running Time: 134 minutes
Languages: English, Wakandian (Some dialogues)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-fi
Black Panther Movie Review:
With the introduction of Black Panther in the Marvel movies, the world is seeing the addition of African continent in otherwise American-centric marvel world. The first mention of Black Panther came in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War movie. Where Prince T’Challa (Black Panther) after the death of his father, King T’Chaka at a UN meeting allies himself with Tony Stark (Iron Man) and fights against Captain Steve Rogers (Captain America) and his allies, that included Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier). In post credits he is seen talking to Captain Rogers and we get an idea that he has taken Bucky to his nation, Wakanda.
Black Panther Story-line:
The movie starts as T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is getting ready to crowned as the future King of Wakanda. For the first time, the audience get to know the real Wakanda and the “origin of Black Panther”. At the crowning ritual, T’Challa is challenged by M’Baku (Lord of the Jabari tribe, the only tribe that refused to accept the Black Panther as the King and Protector of the nation of Wakanda). T’Challa defeats him, but he allows M’Baku to live instead of killing him.
Soon T’Challa gets to know that an identified object made of Wakanda made of Vibranium is stolen from a London museum. The man behind it is, Ulysses Klaue (a fugitive that is wanted by Wakanda). The King decides to undertake a mission in Busan, South Korea and bring Klaue to face trial in his kingdom. Accompanied by his elite forces’ general Okoye and his ex-love interest, Nakia, T’Challa fails to bring Klaue home. Instead, the King brings a CIA agent, Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) to heal as he took a bullet while defending Nakia during a gunfight with Klaue’s men.
Meanwhile, a man claiming to be of royal blood shows up at the Wakandan border, he brings Klaue’s body with him and wins the support of W’Kabi (who wanted Klaue dead to avenge his family’s death caused by him). The man is N’Jadaka / Erik “Killmonger” Stevens, an expert killer and member of the US army. He is also the cousin of T’Challa and now lays his claim for the Wakandan throne, T’Challa accepts Killmonger’s challenge. He is defeated by Killmonger in a ritual combat and thrown over from a cliff. Seeing the gravity of the situation, Nakia takes the Queen and Shuri (T’Challa’s sister) to safe place alongside Agent Ross.
They go to Jabari tribe for help and find that T’Challa is not dead. Lord M’Baku tells T’Challa that now they are even as he has returned his favor of life for a life. T’Challa asks M’Baku’s help to retake the throne, but M’Baku refuses to give his men as he sees this is of no interest for his people.
In the climax, Killmonger and W’Kabi fight against Black Panther and his supporters. With the help of Agent Ross, Shuri, Nakia and Okoye, T’Challa defeats his cousin and kills him.
Why to Watch Black Panther?
Director, Ryan Coogler has given us a wonderful cinematic treat in the form of Black Panther movie. The screenplay, background music, action scenes, cinematography and acting all are brilliant. Everyone has performed their role to perfection and the portrayal of Wakanda as an African country is really overwhelming to watch. Black Panther movie also has references where we get to know that how colonial powers have exploited the continent of Africa, and now the African youth is rearing to catch up with the rest of the world. This is clearly visible in the post credit scene when at the UN meeting, T’Challa announces that his country will no longer remain in the shadows and will share its technical knowhow and resources with the rest of the world.
My Verdict of Black Panther
I am giving 10/10 to this film and is super excited for the Infinity War, where once again we will see Black Panther. I loved the plot and its execution, there is never a dull moment in this film. I especially loved the background score that had a great blend of traditional African and modern techno music. So, if you are a Marvel fan then don’t wait anymore to watch this movie.
Reviewed By: Mirza Yusuf Faiyaz
Yusuf is a History student and a teacher by profession, but has immense interest in arts and culture. He thinks that Cinema as an art form is an extension of a country’s soft power.